Mom and Dad, probably taken shortly after my dad returned home from the war in 1945.
I find Mothers day makes me sad these days. There are two reasons why I find Mothers day and all the advertisements and posts on the web a little bit more than I can endure.
One major reason is that I no longer have a mother. My mother passed away in August of 2003 after a two month long fight with bowel, adrenal gland, and brain cancer. She was 81 years old. Considering her age, there’s a good chance that even if she hadn’t got cancer she still might not be here today. My father passed away in December of 2001.
My parents were both very special people. They were older when they had me. My dad was 45 and my mother was 43. My oldest brother was almost 20 and my sister who is the next youngest to me, was almost 10. My parents always called me their special child because I was very unexpected. I like to think that because they had a child when they were a bit older (not so rare. these days but in the mid 60’s it was very uncommon) I kept them young at heart. In fact they both out lived every one of their siblings in their large families.
I’m still discovering things about them, even now, as I go through the old family photo’s and find postcards that my dad sent to my mom during the war, and pictures that my mom sent to my dad to cheer him up. They were very much in love, especially when they were first married.
I don’t believe that they had a long courtship. I’m unsure when they met but I do know that it was at a dance. My mother had turned down another man who had offered to take her to the dance and she went with one of her friends instead. At the dance, my father saw my mother and asked her to dance with him. At first she said no, but she eventually relented and danced with him. That was the start of a romance that would last just short of 60 years.
I think they might have met in June of 1942. They got married August, 7th, 1942 and 7 days later my dad was sent off to war.
Don’t you just love the uniform?
Throughout my fathers stay overseas he sent her postcards, birthday cards, letters and Christmas cards. All declaring his love for her and the hope that when he returned home their life together would begin. I will scan some of these postcards- perhaps for fathers day. They are so sweet. I never knew my dad was so in love with my mother. I mean, I knew they loved each other, but by the time I came along their relationship was more of a comfortable routine. It was only in their last 15 years together or so that I started to see how much they really cared about each other. When I found the postcards my father had sent I was both shocked and overwhelmingly surprised at the love that poured out of him in his letters.
While my dad was away my mother lived with my fathers father, and his sister. She sent my dad some pin-up worthy pictures of herself. Unfortunately I don’t have them all scanned yet, but heres a peek:
The point of my story is that I grew up in a very loving house with parents and siblings that loved me more than anything. Both of my parents had special qualities but I suppose being a girl I was always closer to my mother. I did go through a rebellious stage, but because I had realized how much older my parents were than everyone else parents, and as a result, realized that I might not have them as long as my friends would have theirs, I developed a deep respect, and yes a friendship with each of them.
My mother was my friend. I talked to her everyday, especially after my father died. We supported each other through hard times, and laughed together during the good times. I learned a lot from her, but the most important thing I learned was to be strong and to believe in myself. I miss you mom, but I cherish your memory and all that you gave me.
I’ll tell you the other reason why mothers day makes me feel sad tomorrow in Part II. But I will re-assure anyone who might be worried about me- I’m fine. This holiday doesn’t fill me with joy, but I’m functioning quite well. I just wish I could talk with my mom on such a special day.
that is an amazing story cant wait to read tomorrows post….and I love those pics.. I wish I had pictures like that of my family.
Ooo..what a beautiful post about your parents!
That was a great post.
Some people don’t respect thier parent as much as some of us do.
You sure miss them when they are gone.
I for one respect my mom for all she has ever put up with us 9 kids.
I almost lost my mom twice in the last 2 weeks.
Once with a heart attack and then again with the wrong medicines poisoning her system.
I love the pictures also.
Again GREAT post.
that is a nice post. Happy mother’s day to your mom…
my mom was 44 when i was born, so i guess we have same situation. Mom and i always have a big discussion over things. And we argue a lot because i have diff way of thingking than her becuase of our big age gap. But as i grew up i have seen how she loves me so much. Now that shes 68, i take care of her and everyday i tried to show herhow uch i love her…
I know I’m a little bit for Mother’s Day but anyway happy mother’s day.
My server was down since Saturday evening. It is only today I had it back again.
Very lovely couple. I admire people who put their parents in a pedestal.
This is a very touching tribute of your parents. They were a lovely couple.
Have a great week ahead.
The first thing that struck me was how much your dad looked like Brendan Fraser. That was a beautiful tribute and I bet they are both so proud of you.
I love this post!!! Beautiful tribute! I love looking back at my parents old pics and just setting that imagination free!!!
Peace
A very lovely post!! And such a nice tribute to your parents.
Found you through BlogMad
My own mother passed away in July of 1995, the 4th of July to be exact. This was the first year that all the ads and all the Mother’s Day business didn’t bother me as much as it had in past years. Coming through from BotB on Click & Comment Monday. I just had to comment your post anyway though.
What a lovely tribute. How lucky your mom was to be so loved by her husband and admired by her children. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Sounds like your mom. 🙂
What a fantastic blog ……
Very nice post. I’m glad you shared this. It must’ve been hard but with sweet sorrow.
Makes me really think about how much I am blessed with right now.
I came by way of C&C day…glad I found you via another link!
What an awesome love story. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing part one.
What a wonderful post about your parents. This was such a great love story! I enjoyed reading it. Thanks so much for sharing.
Great pictures by the way!
what an awesome story! You are lucky to have such great parents. 🙂
What a beautiful tribute to your parents. I still have my mother, but I lost my father 6 years ago tomorrow. People say it gets easier with time, but I find that it doesn’t really – it’s just that I get more accepting with time…
Beautiful story. And thanks for your concern. Tales of my misery were greatly exaggerated. 🙂
I love these photos. Fantastic.
How sweet.
I love these photos. Especially the second one.
They make me smile.
What a moving post, thank you for sharing. I’ll be tuning in for part two for sure. I love that photo of your parents on the grass together, that tells a story all of it’s own. Your parents shared a happy fulfilling life together and now they are at peace, looking down on you and watching over you. Take care and happy mothers day to your mom.
Hey..
Andrena sent me over..
I think that coming froma large family is wonderful!
Your post reminded me a lot of my family- only I am the second child in a
family of seven! My mom was almost 40 when I was born and my oldest brother-being 17 years older than I also moved out of the house soon after.. anyway, I really enjoyed the post- especially the pics! Have a wonderful day!